Elementary and junior high school students are the right age to start learning kendo, as they have developed basic physical strength and are able to understand what their instructors are saying.

So, what comes to mind is protective gear. Parents who have no experience in kendo may not know what to choose.

This time, we will introduce some points to consider when choosing the perfect protective gear for elementary and junior high school students. This is a must-read for parents of elementary and junior high school students who have just started learning kendo, as well as instructors who teach elementary school students. 

Table of contents

Things to be careful about when choosing

 1. How to measure 2. Size fluctuation due to growth

• 衝撃吸収力
• Deodorizing measures
• Hanging name
• Price
• Size exchange and return guarantee

Things to be careful about when choosing

There are various points to consider when choosing armor. Let's take a look at them one by one.

1. How to measure

Not only children but adults too must use protective gear that fits their body properly. This is because protective gear plays an important role in protecting the body. If protective gear does not fit your body properly, it may not perform its role properly, so choosing the right size is important. Let's take a closer look at how to measure each part of the body.

• surface

To measure your face size, measure the length and width of your head. For the length, measure the length around your head by pressing three points: from the tip of your chin to the front of your ears and the center of your crown. For the width, measure the length around your head horizontally just above your eyebrows where you would fasten your headband. Metal tape measures will not fit your head properly, so be sure to use a cloth or paper tape measure. It's easy to overlook, but it's also important to consider your perspective. Measure the length from the tip of your chin to your eyes. Pay close attention to this as it is an area where individual differences are particularly noticeable.

• Hand

To measure your palm size, measure the length of your palm and the width of your hand. The length of your palm is measured from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your palm. The width of your hand is measured from the base of your thumb to the horizontal circumference. Measure your hand with your thumb out of the way and your hand naturally closed.

• Body, hanging

Body and sagging are based on height, waist, and weight.

2. Size fluctuation due to growth

• Size Variation

The most worrying thing when choosing protective gear for children is probably the change in size as they grow. Many people buy larger sizes in anticipation of their children growing, but this is not recommended.

For example, it's okay to buy clothes that are a little too big, but that's difficult with protective gear. However, there are also practical issues with parents who want to extend the replacement cycle for their children for financial reasons, so this isn't just an idealistic idea.

In that case, it would be a good idea to use a surface adjustment futon. Even if you purchase a larger surface, you can adjust it by inserting the surface adjustment futon inside the surface, and as your baby's head gets bigger as they grow, you can remove it to accommodate. There are two types: thin and thick, with the thin type being about 1 cm high and the thick type being about 2 cm high.

It is recommended for children wearing a mask for the first time as it fits snugly and absorbs shock. You can determine if the mask size is right by checking whether the back of the head is not sticking out, whether the sight is correct, and whether the forehead and chin are snugly attached to the inner ring. If the sight is not correct, visibility will be poor and performance will be hindered, so choose the size carefully.

 When it comes to the kote, do, and tare, choosing a size that is too big is particularly difficult. If the kote is too big, it will be difficult to hold the shinai firmly and it may cause blisters.

When you extend your arms, the torso and chest area get caught.

Also, if the sag is too big, it can put strain on the lower back depending on how it is tied. The size of the armor is one factor that affects kendo performance. While it is important to want your child to use it for a long time, it is also important to choose a size that fits your child's body properly.

3. Shock absorption

Being hit with a shinai will still hurt to some extent, even if you're wearing protective gear. Pain can be the reason why children will dislike kendo, so it's a good idea to choose gear with high shock absorption at first. The wider the stitching, the better the shock absorption, so when purchasing, it's a good idea to refer to the stitching width in millimeters (expensive hand-stitched protective gear will have the stitching width expressed as x minutes x rin, but the majority of protective gear for elementary school students is machine-stitched, so look for the x millimeter notation).

4. Deodorizing measures

This may be something that concerns parents more than children. Many parents, especially those with no experience in kendo, have the impression that protective gear = smelly.

However, if you take good care of it and keep it clean, the smell won't be that bad. The unpleasant smell occurs when you leave your armor in the bag after use. After use, don't leave it in the bag, but be sure to take it out.

Wipe off sweat and dirt from the men and kote with a wet, wrung-out hand towel, then dry them in a well-ventilated, shady area. Spraying them with a deodorizing spray for bogu is also effective. If you think maintenance is a hassle or that your children are not up to the task, it may be a good idea to purchase washable bogu that can be washed in the washing machine.

There are many types of kote (glove) in particular that can be washed in a washing machine available for sale. There are also places that offer dry cleaning services for armor, so using these is one way to combat odors. To prevent your child from quitting kendo because they don't like the smell, it's a good idea to consider odor-eliminating measures, such as cleaning the armor after use and purchasing armor that can be washed in advance. It may also be important to think about eliminating reasons that might make your child dislike kendo in advance.

5. Name tag

Once you start using armor, you will need a name tag. Different dojos have standardized fonts for name tags, so be sure to check with your dojo before purchasing.

6. Price

As mentioned earlier, children grow quickly and their gear may soon become too small. Affordable protective gear will be sufficient at first. Nowadays, sets including a mask, kote, tare, and do can be purchased for as little as 2 yen. Parents who used to think protective gear was expensive may be surprised.

If you still think it's too expensive, why not compare it with other sports? Even for classic sports like baseball and soccer, if you buy a complete uniform and all the necessary equipment, it will easily exceed 2 yen. There are also starter sets available that are a great value, including a kendo uniform, hakama, armor bag, and bamboo sword bag, so if you need anything other than a complete set of armor, it might be a good idea to look for a set that includes all of those items.

7. Size exchange and return guarantee

When purchasing online, there are cases where the size just doesn't fit. Some people buy online for various reasons, such as not having time to go shopping, not having a nearby armor store, or it being cheaper online. In such cases, it's a good idea to check whether there is a size exchange or return guarantee.

When you purchase an item online and it arrives, try it on to check how it fits. It may feel a little stiff when you first use it, but it will become more comfortable with use. However, if it feels too big or too small and doesn't fit properly, ask for an exchange. However, there are different rules depending on the online shop, such as a deadline of within a certain number of days after receiving the item, or no returns on embroidered items, so if you're buying online, be sure to check these things carefully beforehand.

Summary

One of the mindsets for kendo instructors is "Lifelong Kendo." Kendo is something you can continue to practice for a lifetime. When you start kendo, your first set of bogu becomes a memento, and more than anything, new bogu is something that a kendo practitioner is very happy about. Please use this article as a reference to find the perfect bogu for you.